Chapter 16: The Puppet’s Unwanted Form

“Wuwuwu…”

In the master bedroom of the Snow Lotus Palace, a cherry-haired girl, peeking half her small head over the back of the sofa, fixed her gaze forward. Her expression was tinged with a mournful resentment, her eyes reflecting a complicated mix of emotions.

Before Xiamiya, a breathtakingly beautiful doll-like girl stood silently before a mirror, meticulously inspecting her newfound body.

This exquisite figure was, naturally, You, who had only just acquired her physical form.

Though the initial shock had begun to fade, Xiamiya couldn’t help but feel a renewed sense of awe as she meticulously observed You’s body once more.

‘This,’ she mused. ‘Is it truly a puppet?’

‘She looks far too much like a real person!’

Xiamiya was certainly no stranger to puppets. Yet, even the most intricately crafted humanoid figures she had encountered possessed clear distinctions from living beings.

Not even the most lavish pleasure dolls, commissioned by the nobility, could compare to You’s uncanny lifelikeness.

Her face was dewy and fresh, her skin a delicate canvas of white tinged with rose. Her chest rose and fell with the subtle rhythm of breath, and her movements flowed with the natural grace of a human.

Had Xiamiya not witnessed You’s emergence from the Black Coffin with her own eyes, she would have unhesitatingly perceived her as an ordinary human girl.

‘Is this the power of a Demonic Spirit Puppet?’ she wondered.

‘She is truly worthy of being the First Holy King’s ultimate masterpiece. Such a flawless form, so perfect—even the most brilliant puppet makers of this era couldn’t hope to replicate such a miracle.’

‘Truly, she is so beautiful…’

As Xiamiya gazed at You’s exquisitely perfect, angelic face, a profound sigh escaped her heart. Her initial intention had merely been to find You a reasonably normal vessel, but she had stumbled upon a result far exceeding all expectations.

She questioned whether it was merely her own perception, yet You’s aura and inherent personality seemed remarkably congruent with the puppet’s cool, elegant demeanor. Gazing upon You in her current form, Xiamiya, herself a young woman, felt an undeniable flutter in her chest.

Of course, alongside this inexplicable surge of excitement, a thread of self-consciousness began to weave its way into Xiamiya’s heart.

After all, when juxtaposed with You’s current form, Xiamiya felt akin to an ugly duckling. While the disparity in facial features might not have been utterly despairing, the stark difference in their physiques left Xiamiya feeling utterly despondent.

Her gaze drifted to her own slender, rather uninspiring frame, and her expression immediately soured.

She cast a glance down at her own utterly flat chest, then back at You’s full, alluring curves. A distinct shade of jealousy flickered in Xiamiya’s downcast eyes.

‘=-=’

‘She’s merely a puppet,’ Xiamiya thought. ‘Why does she have to be so generously proportioned?!’

‘And…’

As her eyes drifted to the gown You wore, Xiamiya’s expression grew even more peculiar.

‘Come to think of it,’ she mused. ‘This dress?’

‘How is it so strikingly similar to the wedding gowns from the Milio era?’

‘The First Holy King,’ she pondered, ‘surely didn’t harbor any strange predilections, did he?’

‘But truly,’ her thoughts continued, ‘what would those “buns” feel like to touch?’

In that moment, Xiamiya’s mind was flooded with a torrent of increasingly strange and whimsical notions.

****

On the other side, You, who was currently examining her new body in the mirror, held emotions far simpler than Xiamiya’s tumultuous mix of excitement, curiosity, and even jealousy.

In essence, her feelings could be summarized in two words: “deeply disappointed.”

Indeed, as You gazed at the alluring, maidenly form reflected in the mirror, there was no trace of joy in her silver eyes at having acquired a new vessel.

Ultimately, this enticing, delicate body was a complete mismatch for You’s expectations.

Having endured countless trials, You had experienced a myriad of bodies and identities. Among these, she found female forms particularly displeasing, especially those deemed beautiful.

A slender figure and a delicate face stood in stark contrast to You’s ideal: a terrifying subordinate of an evil god, feared by all.

Female forms offered no deterrent to enemies; instead, they often aroused desire, leading to unnecessary complications for both herself and her master.

Furthermore, on occasion, such a form might even inadvertently stir the master’s own desires, hindering their ability to focus on the crucial task of their assessment. Fortunately, this time, her master was also a girl, so she presumed this particular concern could be set aside.

In essence, what You truly desired was a body that was strong, robust, hideous, and terrifying—a form that exuded such overwhelming oppression it could scare one to death without recourse.

Wasn’t the Demonic Spirit Puppet lauded as the First Holy King’s ultimate masterpiece? The most fearsome killing machine?

This looked nothing like a weapon at all.

Consequently, You wasn’t merely disappointed with her new body; she was utterly disheartened.

– “Why… why has it turned out like this again…” –

Nevertheless, this body did possess one undeniable advantage: it was not a biological organism.

“It’s quite suitable for modification, actually.”

“Modification?!”

Upon hearing You’s casual murmur, Xiamiya, still steeped in her mournful contemplation, suddenly snapped to attention. She swiftly sprang from the sofa.

“Modify what?” she demanded.

“My body, of course,” You replied, waving a slender arm as if stating the obvious.

“I’ll add a few things, and perhaps remove a few others.”

“Huh? What exactly do you mean by that?” Xiamiya pressed, utterly bewildered.

“This Demonic Spirit Puppet is clearly an advanced weapon,” You explained, “yet it possesses no offensive capabilities, and its body is indistinguishable from an ordinary human’s. However, being a puppet, it can be appropriately outfitted with various weapons. I could conceal blades within the arms, install a heavy cannon in the abdomen… Oh, and perhaps even graft on two mechanical arms, just like the Heavy Combat Puppet we encountered previously.”

“Eh??” Xiamiya’s eyebrow twitched involuntarily at the shocking proposition.

However, You seemed entirely engrossed in contemplating her body’s modification plan, utterly oblivious to the shifting expressions on Xiamiya’s face. She continued to meticulously scrutinize her own form.

“Right,” You mused aloud. “My hair is far too long; it would clearly impede combat. I’ll simply cut it off. Also…”

She cast a disdainful glance down at the prominent ‘buns’ on her chest.

“This part is also a hindrance. I’ll just remove it.”

As she spoke, You’s eyes narrowed slightly. A silver-white energy, the power of the Black Abyss, began to seep from her palm. Under her precise control, the shimmering silver threads instantly coalesced into a sharp, gleaming dagger.

Yet, just as You prepared to bring the blade down, intent on ‘modifying’ her ‘unrefined’ body, Xiamiya’s startled shriek abruptly pierced her ears.

“Hey, hey, hey!!! No, no, don’t you dare mess around like that!!!”

“Hm?” You blinked in confusion, turning her gaze towards Xiamiya, who was now rushing towards her in a panic. “What’s wrong?”

“You’re asking *me* what’s wrong?! I should be asking *you*! What exactly are you trying to do?!”

“Modify my body, of course,” You replied with utmost seriousness.

“Who gave you permission to mess with it?!” Xiamiya exclaimed, exasperated.

“Hm?” You tilted her head, a flicker of genuine bewilderment in her silver-white eyes. “This current form is unsuitable; it needs to be adapted for combat. Besides, Master, didn’t you express a dislike for this body?”

“Ah? I? When did I ever say I disliked it?” Xiamiya stammered, flustered.

“Then why were you continuously hiding behind the sofa earlier, staring at me with such a mournful expression?” You questioned, her gaze unwavering.

“Ah, this… No, no!! I wasn’t mournful at all!! I was merely… observing! Yes, precisely! Observing! Don’t jump to conclusions!”

With that declaration, Xiamiya hurriedly raised her hand, lightly swatting away You’s small hand, which was poised to commit such an act of sacrilege. As if sensing the potential harm the silver dagger could inflict upon Xiamiya, You promptly dissipated the shimmering blade the very instant the cherry-haired girl’s arm moved.

“Then, Master, what exactly do you mean?” You inquired, her tone even.

“Without my explicit permission, you are absolutely forbidden from altering your body! It’s perfectly fine just as it is.”

“But—”

“No ‘buts’!” Xiamiya interjected, her voice uncharacteristically firm.

“Once you reach forty points, the authority to decide your appearance rests with me. If I forbid you from changing it, then you simply cannot! This is my good fortune… ah, no… This, this body is, is an invaluable legacy left by the First Holy King, a historical artifact spanning over a thousand years! Can’t you show some respect and care for such a relic?”

As she posed her question, Xiamiya instinctively placed her hands on her hips, lifted her chin, and adopted a haughty, superior posture.

“Furthermore, I am the Third Holy Princess, am I not? How can I possibly go about without a proper servant accompanying me? Your current image is absolutely perfect, You. From now on, you shall serve as my personal maid.”

“A maid?” You repeated, a hint of inquiry in her voice.

“Yes, a maid. Didn’t I already explain? I have no intention of provoking human society so soon; I still need to accumulate power. Therefore… during this period, I require you to protect me in the capacity of a maid. To prevent any undue suspicion, your body must not be altered. Any strange appearances would utterly disrupt this great ‘plan’ of mine, the plan of your evil god master! Do you understand?”

Xiamiya cautioned, her expression etched with genuine concern. Her intuition screamed at her that if she didn’t extinguish You’s notion of self-modification right now, the puppet would undoubtedly emerge with some terrifying, ‘devilishly altered’ monstrosity. Not only would this entirely contradict Xiamiya’s original intentions, but…

“Most importantly,” Xiamiya mumbled softly, her face coloring slightly as she averted her gaze, “I think you’re perfectly fine just as you are. Don’t change anything…”

Regardless, You’s current appearance possessed a devastating impact; Xiamiya found herself unable to meet her gaze directly.

As Xiamiya’s words registered, a subtle expression of relief gradually softened You’s otherwise impassive features. Under Xiamiya’s gaze, which was now filled with a palpable sense of relief, You slowly nodded.

“I understand, Master. If that is what you desire.”